Ella Fontanals-Cisneros began collecting art in the early 1970s with a primary interest in works from Latin America. Over the ensuing years, as the Collection has grown and developed, its scope has broadened. What started as the acquisition of artworks for personal enjoyment has matured into an ambitious life-project.

There are, in a sense, several collections within the Collection. Of particular note are four main areas of interest that have been systematically increasing in recent years:

Geometric Abstraction from Latin America

Contemporary International and Latin American Art

Contemporary Video

Modern and Contemporary Photography

The following are institutions where works from the Collection have either previously been or still are on loan: